The Issues

Republicans and conservative advocacy groups have convinced many Americans that voter fraud is a serious problem. To test that claim, News21 created the most comprehensive election fraud database ever compiled. It shows that since 2000, while fraud has occurred, the number of cases is infinitesimal and in-person voter impersonation on election day, which prompted 37 state legislatures to enact or consider tough voter ID laws, is virtually non-existent.

Despite overwhelming evidence that in-person election day voter fraud is insignificant, 37 states have enacted or are considering ID laws to curb the alleged fraud. News21 found 10 cases of voter impersonation since 2000, or about one case for every 15 million prospective voters in the U.S.

News21 sent more than 2,000 public records requests to investigate assertions of rampant voter fraud. The review of nearly 5,000 court documents, official records and media reports enabled News21 to compile the most extensive database on alleged voter fraud.